Potential Field Herping Area

[clinton.wayne]

Hi All

A guy that works with me lives in the Broadlands area near Mount Edgecombe. Apparently they see alot of snakes in their yards so it might be a good area for a herping trip. Just thought I'd let you guys know...

[Fooble]

Where exactly is that? There is allot of cane there still?

[hunter1]

I live in the area, and haven't seen anything to grand just heralds, and night adders, and the odd house snake, at umhloti there is mount moreland that has some good herping.

[JPWittstock]

I concur with Hunter1 all the call outs to the Broadlands area are either Heralds or Night adders. There are still some nice Black mambas and Boomslang in Mount Moreland though, oh yes and the mandatory Spitters.

[clinton.wayne]

Actually they removed most of the sugar cane and built houses over it. Here's a map of the area, the red circle is Broadlands.

[clinton.wayne]

Oh Ok.... Sorry, I didn't check out the place myself... just heard adout it.

[hunter1]

I don't know why there isnt more snakes in the mount edgecombe area with all the frogs, and wildlife, with all the dams, I think you might be talking about the dirt road on the way to the tip, there is alot of sugar cane there i think.

[Scavenger]

Hunter1 speak to roland about the snakes at mount edgecombe as he does all the callouts on the estate. Would be interesting to find some locations in the mount edgecombe/umhlanga areas to go herping.

[clinton.wayne]

What about that nature trail near the breakers hotel?
If I'm not mistaken the sign says that there's African Rock Python there.

[hunter1]

Ya I have walked that trail, I herd there has been some rock pythons seen there, but that path is quite dodge, need to go in a group, but I think you might find some cool stuff on a rainy afternoon there. I'm moving just up the road from there, straight opposite that bush.

[clinton.wayne]

True, can't go there alone.

There's also a reserve on the other side of Blue Lagoon that open once a month to the public. It's a mangrove swamp. Think you guys would have any luck there?

[hunter1]

No idea whats there, I haven't been there for ages, maby Byron will know what you could find there.

[Scavenger]

The umhlanga lagoon? I've done a little herping there nothing much that I've found other than some nice big black scorpions, I'd be surprised if there was rock pythons there, its not a very big reserve at all and the walk is like 10min long.

[Snakes4Africa]

In the area in question are Heralds, Night adders, Spitting Cobras, Black mambas, Vinesnakes, Boomslang,Green Watersnakes, Brown House snakes, Black (Nyasa) Filesnakes, Green mambas (rarely far from the sea though), Olive house snakes, African Rock Pythons and Puff adders.
This is according to my records extending back 20 years and in order of most to least common.
Bear in mind these are snakes caught on callouts, not from actively looking. You will probably find fewer diurnal and arboreal snakes while herping.

[rolandslf]

I can only add that Byron is correct in specie locality in this area, and wish to echo his sentiments with what you will find on an active search.

I was called out to Oakford, which is in the same area on Monday for a Black Mamba, Rishaad and Byron are aware of this one.
Description given was a dark grey / black coloured snake, very big and long, about as thick as my wrist.
I dont have very thick wrists', but a snake that thick, if a BM, would have to have been in the 3m bracket I reckon.

Needless to say, after ripping a kombuis and pantry apart, I found nothing.